The weather
In general, France has a temperate climate, with regional variations. The average maximum temperature in France in September is 24 °C and the average minimum temperature is 15 °C. In January, it is 10 °C and the average low is 0 °C. Pack accordingly!
Currency
The French currency is the Euro (EUR).
Electricity
The voltage in France is 230 V (50 Hz). Many sockets differ from French ones (including both British and American) so you may need a converter or an adapter for your electrical appliances.
Daylight savings
From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, the time in France changes from UTC + 1 hour to UTC + 2 hours. The French media will announce the change of time.
Sundays and Bank holidays (Jours fériés)
Most shops and services are closed on Sundays and public holidays in France.
1 January (New Year’s Day)
Easter Monday, in March or April, (resurrection of Christ)
1 May (Labour Day)
8 May (end of the Second World War)
Ascension Thursday in May (Ascension of Christ)
14 July (National holiday)
15 August (Assumption)
1 November (All Saints Day)
11 November (1918 Armistice)
25 December (Christmas)
On these days, government offices and banks are closed. Museums and monuments are mostly closed on January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.
Opening hours
Shops: Most shops are open between 10a.m. and 7p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
Supermarkets: open until 8-9p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and sometimes on Sunday morning.
Banks: open between 9a.m. and 5p.m. (6p.m. in some cases) from Tuesday to Saturday. Most banks are open on Saturday mornings or all day Saturday and are closed on Monday.
Electrical appliances
The voltage in France is 220V (volts). If this differs from the voltage in your own country, adaptors, which can be bought in supermarkets, enable you to use your electrical appliances.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency number to call in priority: 112
- SAMU (Service d’Aide Médicale d’Urgence): 15
- Police: 17
- Fire Brigade: 18
French Post Office (La Poste)
If you need to send a postcard or a letter, you can post it in one of the many yellow post boxes located in the streets, or in post offices. Post offices are generally open from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 7 pm and on Saturday morning until 12 am. They are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Stamps can be purchased at ‘La Poste’ offices, online or in a newsagency (tabac presse).